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Community Testimonials

For
those of you who do not know me, I’m Emily Engel, a graduate of C.W.
Post’s Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program (2010). As the Team’s first
Coordinator, I assisted Dr. Demaria in developing the Trauma Team. I
hoped to specialize in trauma, and this experience provided me with the
ideal opportunity to increase my skills and receive mentoring by Dr.
Demaria, a highly respected leader in the field. Under Dr. Demaria’s
guidance, I organized trainings and responses, completed the Red Cross:
Disaster Mental Health Institute, responded to a variety of community
traumas/disasters, mentored Trauma Team members, conducted research and
presented at ISTSS and ABCT, attended various networking and training
events, and conducted trauma-focused psychotherapy. I was honored to be
recognized for my efforts as Trauma Team Coordinator, and was awarded
the Distinguished Student Service Award in Clinical Psychology, American
Psychological Association, Div. 12, 2010; Hometown Hero Award, Intrepid
Sea, Air and Space Museum, 2009; and Health Care Hero Award for
Community Outreach, Long Island Business News, 2009. I am very grateful
for the experiences I had in the Trauma Team, as they were personally
enriching and deeply influential in my professional development.

After
graduation, I relocated to Charlotte, NC, where I obtained my license
and joined a local group private practice. While I have the support of
colleagues at the practice, I am responsible for developing my own
caseload – which requires a considerable amount of marketing and
networking efforts. I am thankful to have acquired these skills in my
leadership role in the Trauma Team, and have been successful in
establishing a professional presence for myself in the area. In the
last few months, I have given a number of lectures and presentations at
local hospitals, rehabilitation centers and schools, and am earning a
name for myself as a specialist in trauma recovery and child/adolescent
issues. Most recently, I presented “Crises and Disasters in Schools:
Preparation, Response and Recovery” at Presbyterian Hospital’s
Behavioral Health Symposium, and will assist local schools in preparing
to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. As I reflect back, my Trauma
Team experiences have equipped me well to transition into a professional
role in a new community.

In
viewing the Trauma Team website and speaking with Dr. Demaria, it is
clear the Trauma Team continues to grow and serve the community in
exciting ways. I wish you all the best in your continued development.
Feel free to contact me, if I can be of any assistance in the future.

"Recognized for their outstanding contributions on Hometown Heroes Day, the Intrepid Museum honors members of the tri-state area whose selfless efforts in the field of community service has earned them the distinction of being called “Hometown Heroes".

Winner: Emily EngelEmily was the first Trauma Response Team Coordinator for the CW Post Doctorial Program in Clinical Psychology. "She has played key role in recruiting over 30 graduate students for program and has been a key contributor during a community crisis response by the Team following a tragedy that resulted in four deaths. Emily is instrumental in recruiting graduate students for the opportunity to become volunteer American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Responders and has done voluntary clinical work with families of 9/11 First Responders and Veterans"